One of the best parts of college is living in a community with other students. It may be tempting to pack everything from home, but we promise you will not need it all. To help you decide what to bring and what to leave behind, here is what our Orientation Leaders recommend.

Things to consider bringing to campus:

Consider the impact of your purchases when planning to live on campus - Communicate with roommates (mid-August) on shared items, be selective about what you bring, and determine what extras are needed after arriving.

Make sustainable choices - Shop locally or second-hand, avoiding disposable packing materials, and opt for durable items that will be used year after year

• Appliances are permitted as long as they pose no undue safety risk, include no exposed heating elements, and do not unnecessarily overutilize building utilities (Single-Serve Coffee Brewers, Microwave Ovens, Sous Vide Devices, etc. are approved for use). The University reserves the right to require the use of Energy Star-rated appliances.
  
  
• Cutlery must be non-serrated and specifically designed for eating food. 
  
  
• Electronics must be UL-listed (certified for safety).
  
  
• Fans must not include a heating element.
  
  
• Lamps must use LED bulbs only.
  
  
• Personal Care Items (Blow Dryers, Clothing Irons, Hair Straighteners/Irons, etc.) must be used in appropriate spaces and unplugged after use.
  
  
• Refrigerators must be Energy Star certified and 4.5 cubic feet or smaller.
  • Consider Renting vs purchasing: Microfridge by Danby offers safe and convenient rentals that are delivered hassle-free and ready to use when you arrive on campus, and offers full service support throughout the year. To learn more, please visit the Microfridge Website.
    
    
• Enjoy a Hands-Free Move-In with Storage Scholars
  Storage Scholars provides a convenient, stress-free solution for storing and transporting the items you'll need for your first year at SCU. Order dorm essentials throughout the summer, ship them directly to Storage Scholars, and they'll be waiting for you when you arrive. Learn more on the Storage Scholars website.

Things to leave at home (many of which are prohibited in University housing):

• Furniture - all rooms will include a bed frame, twin XL mattress, dresser, desk, and chair. All University-issued furniture must remain in the designated room.
  
  
• Amplified Musical Instruments and Drums are not permitted within the residence halls due to noise levels. Stereo equipment is permitted; however, Residence Life staff reserves the right to regulate sound levels and require removal of sound equipment if excess noise problems persist.
  
  
• Appliances with Exposed Heating Elements, including candle warmers, deep fryers, drip-style coffee makers, electric skillets, George Foreman style grills, griddles, hot plates, panini presses, electric fondue pots, waffle makers, etc.
  
  
• Appliances that Operate Under High Internal Pressure, including stovetop and electric pressure cookers, as well as multifunction cookers with a pressure cooking setting (Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, Crock-Pot Express, etc.).
  
  
• Devices that Store Large Volumes of Liquid, due to the risk of significant flooding and water damage, including aquariums or fish tanks larger than 5 gallons, fog machines, hot and cold water dispensers, portable dishwashers, portable washing machines, water beds, etc.
  
  
• Electronics with High Power Draw or Those that Create an Electrical Hazard, including air conditioners of any kind (window or stand-alone, regardless of size), electric blankets or mattress warmers, extension cords without surge protection or any power strips daisy-chained together, gaming PCs or mining rigs, space heaters, etc.
  
  
• Fuel Sources, including any items designed to contain an open flame (candles, incense, smudging products, grills, portable fire pits, tiki torches, lanterns, oil lamps, kerosene lamps, fire bowls, camping stoves, etc.), fuels and combustible liquids (alcohol-based fuels, charcoal, gasoline, lighters and lighter fluid, propane, Sterno cans, chafing fuel, etc.), as well as fireworks and pyrotechnics (sparklers, fireworks, smoke bombs, etc.). All violations of this policy are considered serious, as open flames pose the largest single safety threat to University housing facilities.
  
  
• Lamps and Bulbs with Excessive Surface Temperatures, including torchiere halogen, incandescent, lava lamps, and oil lamps.